Noel Vincent Coletti Jr.

Noel Vincent Coletti Jr. of Haverhill died on Saturday, August 9, following a valiant 10-year struggle with young onset Alzheimer’s disease. He was 61.

He was born in Quincy, the first born child out of six of Noel V. Coletti and Constance Coletti. He grew up primarily in Danbury and New Haven, Conn. Noel graduated from The Tilton School in New Hampshire, and, at 16, met Deborah D. Young who became his beloved wife. Noel graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied Printing and Graphic Art Management.

Noel became interested in imaging and scanning technology at its conception, thus leading to a successful career leading worldwide marketing efforts for Xerox Imaging Systems, Kurzwell Systems, and eCopy. Many of his colleagues considered him to be the father of the modern scanning industry.

Noel was a brilliant, generous, hard-working, joyful, and compassionate man. He was a dedicated, loving father, husband, grandfather (fondly known as “Bud”), uncle, son-in-law, and brother. He greatly enjoyed gatherings with plenty of good food, good (or bad) jokes, and good wine, some of which he made himself. His children and nieces and nephews will remember his great storytelling, especially his ghost stories. He also loved the outdoors, anywhere he could fly fish, and walking and boating around Harpswell, Maine, his second home. He enjoyed reading and travelling and was a student of history, especially maritime history.

Noel and Deb faced the unique challenge of young onset Alzheimer’s disease proactively by speaking at conferences, appearing in an episode of “Chronicle,” and being interviewed for various magazines and papers. They also contributed to research by participating in four clinical trials at the BU Medical Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Even later in the disease, when Alzheimer’s diminished his capabilities, his helpful, caring nature shone through when he watched out for and assisted other participants at the Spectrum Day Health program in North Andover.

Until the last few weeks, Noel was able to be cared for at home in Haverhill or Harpswell, Maine, by his family and several beloved, dedicated caregivers. His love of family, music, animals, the outdoors, and his fantastic sense of humor were with him until the end.

Noel is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 38 years, Deborah Young Coletti of Haverhill; his parents, Noel V. Coletti and Constance Coletti of Monument Beach; his three children, Sarah Noel Coletti of Merrimac and her partner, Craig M. DeMarco, Noel V. Coletti, IV, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Thomas N. Coletti of Haverhill; his two grandchildren, Kingston Thomas Morse and Lila Noel DeMarco; four sisters, Judith LeBeau and her husband, Mark, of Monument Beach, Sarah Coletti and her husband, Michael Bialis, of Acton, Ellen Coletti-Murray and her husband, Kevin, of Roslindale, Amy Allen and her husband, Fred, of Madison, Conn.; one brother, Charles Ted Coletti, and his wife, Patricia, of Killingworth, Conn. He is also survived by his second set of siblings; Arthur Young of Hingham and his wife, Marie Lefton; Anthony Young and his wife, Morena, of Manassas Park, Va.; David Young and his wife, Samantha, of Haverhill, and Constance Young Compton and her husband, Hollyday, of Norwell.

He was predeceased by his loving in-laws Arthur W. Young Jr. and Nancy of Edgartown. Other survivors include numerous dear cousins and 17 nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours at Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main Street, Haverhill on August 14 from 4 to 7 pm., which also would have been Noel and Deborah’s 38th wedding anniversary. The family hopes you join them in celebrating Noel’s life, Noel and Deb’s love on their anniversary, and working toward a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Donations in Noel’s memory may be made to Spectrum Adult Day Health Program, 1820 Turnpike St., Unit 106, North Andover, MA 01845, or the Coletti Family Adult Fund at the Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main St., Haverhill, MA 01830. Online condolences may be sent to dcsfuneralhome.com.